Anticoagulation after pancreatic surgery with venous resection (TIGRESS): What should we do? Results from an international survey

• Published in: Annals of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 423 - 427
• Main Authors: Russell, Thomas B, Ciprani, Debora, Aroori, Somaiah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 한국간담췌외과학회 01-11-2023
• Subjects: Anticoagulants; Pancreaticoduodenectomy; Veins; Venous thromboembolism
• ISSN: 2508-5778; 2508-5859
• DOI: 10.14701/ahbps.23-065

Backgrounds/AimsPatients who undergo pancreatic surgery with venous resection have high rates of morbidity/mortality. Also, they are high-risk for postoperative venous thromboembolism. Whether this group should be routinely anticoagulated is unknown. This study aimed to establish current anticoagulation practices.MethodsA survey (https://form.jotform.com/220242489107048) was sent out to pancreatic surgeons. Questions covered center volume, venous resection/reconstruction techniques and anticoagulation policies.ResultsSixty-five centers from 17 countries responded. Following a "side-bite" venous resection with a patch repair, 40% used an autologous vein patch, 27% used peritoneum, and 27% used a bovine patch. After formally resecting a segment of vein, 17% of centers used an interposition graft (IG). Left renal vein (41%) and polytetrafluoroethylene (73%) grafts were the most commonly used autologous and prosthetic IGs, respectively. Following a prosthetic IG, an autologous IG, and a "side-bite" resection, 59%, 28%, and 19% of centers provided therapeutic anticoagulation, respectively (66% used low molecular-weight heparin). The duration of therapy provided varied from inpatient stay only (14%) to six months (32%).ConclusionsOur global survey indicates that anticoagulation practices are highly variable. Centers do not agree on when to anticoagulate, how to anticoagulate, or the duration of therapy. A robust trial is required to provide clarity.